Telfair County Fire/Ema Department

10/26/2026

From the desk of Chief James Atkins

🚨 NEW SAFETY INITIATIVE — TELFAIR COUNTY 🚨

Telfair County Fire Rescue / EMA is proud to announce a new community safety initiative!

🏠 Starting this month, we will offer FREE smoke detector installations to residences located in Telfair County outside the city limits of McRae-Helena.

Our goal is simple: help keep the families of Telfair County safe. A working smoke detector can provide critical early warning and potentially save lives.

🔥 This service is completely FREE and provided by Telfair County Fire Rescue / EMA.

If you would like to get on the list for a smoke detector installation, please call:

📞 John — 478-484-0658

Please share this post with your friends, family, and neighbors. You never know who may need this lifesaving service!

Telfair County Fire Rescue / EMA
Serving Our Community. Protecting Our Families.

10/22/2026

Telfair County Fire Department Hosts Vehicle Extrication Training Using the Jaws of Life

October 17th and 18th, 2026, the Telfair County Fire Department hosted an extrication training class focused on preparing firefighters to respond to vehicle accidents involving trapped or injured occupants. The training provided an opportunity for emergency responders to practice using specialized rescue equipment, including the Jaws of Life, to safely remove victims from damaged vehicles.

Vehicle extrication is a critical part of emergency response, especially when a vehicle is severely damaged in a collision and occupants are unable to get out on their own. Firefighters and emergency first responders must be trained to work quickly and carefully to create access, remove damaged vehicle components, and free trapped individuals while minimizing the risk of further injury.

During the class, participants focused on the techniques and skills needed to perform vehicle rescues safely and effectively. The Jaws of Life and other hydraulic rescue tools allow firefighters to cut through metal, spread crushed vehicle components, and create openings to reach occupants trapped inside wreckage.
Hands-on training is an essential part of preparing Emergency First Responders for these challenging situations. By practicing with rescue equipment and learning proper extrication techniques, emergency responders can build confidence, improve coordination, and strengthen their ability to work together during high-pressure incidents.

Hosting this class also highlights the importance of continued training and cooperation among emergency personnel. Vehicle accidents can happen at any time, and having trained responders ready to act can make a significant difference when seconds matter.
The Telfair County Fire Department remains committed to training, preparedness, and serving the community. Through opportunities like this extrication class, firefighters continue to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to emergencies and help protect the lives of those they serve.

The Telfair County Fire Department would like to give a special thank you to Horton Wrecker Service, US 441, McRae-Helena, GA, Raford Horton and Miranda Horton for their continued support of the Telfair County Fire Department and for furnishing the location and the vehicles used during the training. Their continued commitment to Telfair County is greatly appreciated.
Training today helps prepare our firefighters for the emergencies of tomorrow.

10/16/2026

🚒🔥 Telfair County Fire Rescue Awarded $39,537 Firehouse Subs Grant! 🔥🚒

Telfair County Fire Rescue is proud to announce that we have been awarded a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant to purchase new structural firefighting gear!

The grant was submitted by Captain Fisher on July 9, 2026, and was officially awarded on October 6, 2026, by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Board of Directors.

This award is a major investment in the safety of our firefighters. Having properly fitted, modern personal protective equipment is essential when our members are responding to structure fires and other dangerous incidents.

Telfair County Fire Rescue & EMA would like to sincerely thank the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and its Board of Directors for this incredible award and for supporting the men and women who serve our community.

We are proud of the progress our department continues to make, and this grant is another important step toward ensuring our firefighters have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely.

🚒 New structural firefighting gear
🧯 Better protection for our firefighters
❤️ A stronger Telfair County Fire Rescue

Thank you, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation!

— Telfair County Fire Rescue & EMA
McRae, Georgia

10/09/2026

PUBLIC UPDATE: TELFAIR CO FIRE/EMA WEATHER & SAFETY ADVISORY
ISSUED: Friday, October 9, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
LOCATION: Telfair County, Georgia (Includes McRae-Helena, Lumber City, Milan and Jacksonville)

CRITICAL WEATHER ALERT FOR TELFAIR COUNTY
Telfair County Fire/EMA are actively monitoring the inland progression of Hurricane Isaias. While the storm's initial landfall is occurring along the Gulf Coast this evening, its outer bands and inland track are forecast to bring severe weather to our area over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Local residents should prepare for a period of heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, and potential isolated tornadoes.

LOCAL IMPACT TIMELINE & EXPECTED HAZARDS
• Wind Threat (Strongest Friday Night – Saturday): Wind gusts of 35–45 mph are possible in Telfair County. Because our soils may become saturated, these gusts are strong enough to knock down weak trees and snap power lines.
• Heavy Rainfall & Localized Flooding: Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Low-lying areas, secondary dirt roads, and typical flood-prone zones near the Ocmulgee River basin could experience minor flooding.
• Isolated Tornado Risk: A brief, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out within the outer rain bands moving through southern and central Georgia.

WHAT TELFAIR COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD DO NOW
1. Secure Outdoor Items: High winds can turn loose items into dangerous projectiles.
2. Prepare for Power Outages: Charge your mobile phones, flashlights, and backup batteries.
3. Review Your Shelter Plan: Know where your family will go if a Tornado Warning is issued for Telfair County—ideally an interior room on the lowest floor of your home, away from windows.
4. Stay Off the Roads After Dark: Flooded roads and fallen tree limbs are incredibly difficult to see at night. Avoid unnecessary travel starting late this evening.

Telfair Fire/EMA will continue to monitor the weather and give out notifications on changes.

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

WEATHER READINESS REMINDER

Telfair County Fire Rescue EMA is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Isaias as it moves through the Gulf.

As of the latest National Hurricane Center advisory, Isaias has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving east-northeast at 8 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast later this week.

At this time, there is no need for alarm in Telfair County. The exact impacts to our area are still uncertain. The National Weather Service advises that impacts could become possible Friday evening through Sunday, including heavy rainfall, localized flooding, gusty winds and the possibility of isolated tornadoes.

Now is simply a good time to make sure you are prepared:

• Test generators and make sure they are operating properly.
• Check fuel and basic emergency supplies.
• Charge phones, flashlights and battery packs.
• Secure loose outdoor items.
• Review your family's weather plan.
• Continue monitoring official forecasts and local updates.

We will continue monitoring the system and provide updates as the forecast becomes clearer.

Follow Telfair Fire Rescue EMA on Facebook for local updates.

For emergencies, dial 911.

Telfair County Fire Rescue EMA
Prepare • Plan • Stay Informed

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

🚆⚡ You May Have Seen the Electric Train Car Around Telfair County!

Some of y’all may have seen the electric train car being tested on the railroad in our area and wondered what it is or what’s going on.

The train is part of Parallel, a company developing battery-electric freight vehicles designed to transport cargo using existing railroad infrastructure. The technology is being tested in Georgia as part of the development process.

🚒 Telfair County Public Safety Prepared
On Monday, Telfair County public safety personnel attended a specialized training session to learn more about this new technology, how the electric rail vehicle operates, and the safety considerations associated with it.

The training covered potential hazards, emergency response considerations, and ways to safely mitigate potential issues should an incident involving the train occur.

As new technology comes to our community, it’s important that our first responders understand what they may encounter and are prepared to respond safely and effectively.

Telfair County Public Safety is committed to staying prepared, informed, and ready to protect our community. 🚒👮‍♂️🚑

If you see the electric train car being tested in the area, there is no reason for alarm. It is part of ongoing testing of this new technology.